Debbie Wilson is an Award Winning Country & Gospel Recording Artist
BIOGRAPHY
Born as Deborah Lynn Plank; now known as, Debbie Wilson - Singer/Songwriter… was born in Rowan County, not far from her hometown – Morehead, Kentucky… up a “holler” on a hill, now called, Cincinnati Branch. Daughter of Roy & Letha Plank, Debbie is affectionately called the “baby girl” of the blended family of 12 children.
Growing up, Debbie was exposed to a wide variety of music; which contributes to her different styles of writing, melodies & tempo of her songs. When relatives or friends would visit; Debbie states, “Daddy, would have Mommy get out her banjo and start picking & playing old favorite mountain tunes and I’m really fortunate to have had that experience… My mother is now 97 years old, has out-lived 6 of my siblings and I am so blessed she is still with us”.
Debbie, at about 5 years old, remembers her first public singing experience…at a little white church in Clearfield Ky. she sang Jesus Loves Me… She wrote her first song at the age of seven. At age 13 she began singing regularly on weekends at DunBar Farris Barn Dance … She also traveled to perform at venues honoring the stage with country legends, such as Earnest Tubb, Jeannie Seely and Jack Green. As time marched on, Debbie made a choice, while raising a family, to perform mostly within her home state of Kentucky, touring the Ky. State Parks. She also enjoyed Morehead’s Annual Appalachian Celebration & Hardwood Festival, where she was often found performing a mix of Gospel, Country, Bluegrass & Traditional Mountain Ballads, along with singing her own Original music that was and is, unique in the sense that her style truly varies. During the Appalachian Celebration, many times her concerts were located on the Campus of Morehead State University where she also instructed a Workshop of Mountain Ballads… Debbie says, “I’ve had the privilege to be exposed to the wide variations of style within the same genres of music. .. It’s been an education & a blessing. “
Next came the Nashville “scene ”… Debbie drew the attention of AMI Records, Waylon Jennings Group and other Country music interests. To say the least, it was a time of decisions, which lead her back to Kentucky. Now with her children being grown, Debbie has chosen to explore the world of music in a wider and Wiser format… She has opened her own music theatre, writing, singing and has 2 Gospel albums completed and releasing a brand new Country Album, called “Life Changin”… of which both her daughters are also performing on. Her son, Terry Ray & daughters, Leigha Ann and Shelli Renee’… all musically inclined, have a deep-rooted background in Kentucky’s Traditional music. Debbie also Featured her elderly mother on her Gospel Album, (Road To Freedom) singing the classic gospel song, (Green Pastures). She also recorded her Mom praying; resulting in the inclusion of the prayer for Debbie’s original song, called: (She Prayed) a song that will turn on the tears !
Debbie’s Husband, Daniel, is a proud solid supporter of Debbie’s accomplishments and endeavors. He truly loves her music and is a positive force that she states, keeps her grounded…to stay true to “Her Music”… not to necessarily follow current trends.. Debbie has her own unique twist in the various genres from Gospel, Mountain & Country to Soulful & edgy Blues … with a voice that can send chills clear to your bones…
Her line, “Music makes the heart feel”, is evident on the faces of the audiences when she sings, and being a Gospel & Variety Singer and Songwriter, Debbie says,…
“Although, I have a heartfelt love to write & sing Christian Spiritual Music as my first priority, I believe there is a place for “Clean” Life songs that incorporate Love, Happiness and even be “Life Changin’ “. It really takes listening to your conscience that the good Lord places within you, to write and sing secular music. I know I must keep it Clean…I’ve got the Lord to answer to. All the while, hoping the audience enjoys what they hear. That’s not always easy! What one person may consider to be a perfectly-acceptable musical piece, for a Christian to sing, another may find that song offensive. So, that’s why I truly have to listen to that “still” little voice inside me and then use the gift to write and sing something that will touch someone’s heart, whether it be Gospel or Secular music.”
“God Saved me and gave me a gift to work with…. and I want to use it for Him, regardless of the genre of music that I write & sing”…